What: The 2012 College of Music Gala “Symphony Meets Jazz,” bringing together UNT’s Symphony Orchestra, A Cappella Choir, members of the Jazz Singers and an array of vocal and instrumental soloists for an afternoon of American music featuring original arrangements by UNT’s Richard DeRosa and the jazz-inspired music of composers George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein.

When/ Where: 4 p.m. Oct. 14 (Sunday) in Winspear Hall at the Murchison Performing Arts Center.

Live streaming available online.

Cost: $25 for concert tickets, $100 for concert tickets and a post-performance dinner.

Contact: Leslie Wimmer at Leslie.Wimmer@unt.edu or 940-565-4835

DENTON (UNT), Texas -- The 2012 College of Music Gala “Symphony Meets Jazz” brings together UNT’s Symphony Orchestra, A Cappella Choir, members of the Jazz Singers and an array of vocal and instrumental soloists for an afternoon of American music featuring original arrangements by UNT’s Richard DeRosa as well as jazz-inspired music by composers George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein.

Proceeds from the event benefit College of Music student scholarships.

The concert begins at 4 p.m. on Oct. 14 (Sunday) at the Murchison Performing Arts Center.

“This is such an obvious collaboration with our excellent orchestra and world renowned jazz program,” said David Itkin, conductor of the UNT Symphony Orchestra. “We will offer works by well-known composers Gershwin and Bernstein, which are very influenced by jazz, and experience original arrangements by Richard DeRosa for jazz, big orchestra and soloists.”

DeRosa’s arrangements of songs like “Autumn in New York” and “Cherokee” reimagine familiar American standards as orchestral showpieces for both jazz and classical soloists. His version of “One O’Clock Jump” stars a jazz quintet of members of UNT’s One O’Clock Lab Band, and his “Tenderly/Autumn Leaves” medley features student violinist Leah Greenfield and Itkin himself at the piano. For the grand finale, the A Cappella Choir and members of the Jazz Singers will join together with members of the One O’Clock Lab Band for DeRosa’s take on Leonard Bernstein’s hit song “America” from West Side Story.

DeRosa, who teaches jazz composition and arranging at UNT, has been interested in bringing together the UNT Symphony Orchestra and jazz program since he joined the faculty in 2010. DeRosa said UNT is one of the few schools in the United States that can achieve such an ambitious collaborative effort.

“We have an outstanding classical program and an outstanding jazz program, and this gives us an opportunity to showcase our students’ wonderful talent to the public,” he said. “This event will also highlight our vocal talent with the A Cappella Choir and Jazz Singers, so there will be something for everyone.”

Tickets for the concert only are available for $25, and can be purchased online at www.theMPAC.com or by calling 940-369-7802. For group rates of $15 per ticket for groups of 10 or more, call 940-369-7772. Tickets for the concert and a post-performance dinner are available for $100, and can be purchased by calling 940-369-8417.

About the UNT College of Music

The UNT College of Music is one of the largest and most respected comprehensive music schools in the country. About 1,500 music students attend UNT each year, participating in more than 40 widely varied ensembles and pursuing specialized studies in performance, composition, music education or music scholarship. UNT faculty members and students have made appearances on the world’s finest stages and have produced numerous recordings, many receiving Grammy awards and nominations. Distinguished UNT alumni can be found around the globe, in top music ensembles, opera companies, universities and schools.